nutch_noindex
Search Icon
    Menu Button
    Stanford Medicine Children's Health
    DonateContactMyChart LoginFind a Doctor
    • Second Opinion
    • Donate
    • Contact
    • Refer a Patient
    • En Español
    • Our Locations
    • Medical Services
    • About Us
    • Research & Innovation
    • Patients & Visitors
    • For Health Professionals
    • Second Opinion
    • Donate
    • En Español
    • MyChart Login
    • Recently Visited
      • Our Locations
      • Medical Services
      • About Us
      • Research & Innovation
      • Patients & Visitors
      • For Health Professionals
      CANCEL
      • View More Results

      Loading...

      COVID-2019 Alert

      The latest information about the 2019 Novel Coronavirus, including vaccine clinics for children ages 6 months and older.

      La información más reciente sobre el nuevo Coronavirus de 2019, incluidas las clínicas de vacunación para niños de 6 meses en adelante.

      /nutch_noindex

       


      Cystic Fibrosis and the Respiratory System

      How does cystic fibrosis affect the respiratory system?

      Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an inherited disease. It causes problems in the body's cells that make salt, water, and mucus. There is no cure for CF. It is a disease that gets worse over time. But better treatments can now help people with CF live longer and healthier lives. Most people with CF live into their late 30s, and many into their 50s. Some people with CF now live into their 70s. 

      CF causes thick mucus to build up and clog certain parts of the body such as the lung. The buildup is caused by an abnormal gene called CFTR (cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator). CFTR controls the flow of water and salt in and out of the body's cells. Changes cause mucus to become thickened and sticky. This first affects the small airways in the lungs. Over time, it can affect all airways.

      Children with CF may have lung infections. This is because bacteria that are normally cleared from the lungs stay in the thickened mucus. Many of these lung infections are long-term (chronic).

      Children with CF also can have problems in their upper respiratory tract. They can have nasal polyps. These are small growths of tissue from the lining of the nose. They go into the air-filled space above and behind the nose (nasal cavity). Sometimes these polyps must be taken out by a healthcare provider. Children with CF also often have sinus infections.

      CF affects the respiratory system. So a child with CF may have these symptoms:

      • Chronic cough

      • Coughing up blood

      • Collapsed lung

      • A rounding and enlargement of the tips of the fingers and toes (clubbing)

      • Frequent lung infections with thick phlegm

      • Heart enlargement

      • Nasal polyps

      • Shortness of breath

      • Inflamed nasal sinuses (sinusitis)

      Related Topics

      • Cystic Fibrosis Quiz
      • Cystic Fibrosis and the Digestive System
      • Cystic Fibrosis and the Reproductive System
      • Cystic Fibrosis and the Respiratory System

      Related Links

      • Cystic Fibrosis in Children
      • Pulmonary, Asthma & Sleep Medicine Center

        nutch_noindex
        • About Us
        • Contact
        • MyChart Login
        • Careers
        • Blog
        • Refer a Patient
        • Download from App Store Download From Google Play
        • Notice of Nondiscrimination
        • Terms of Use
        • Privacy Policy
        • Code of Conduct

        © 2023 Stanford Medicine Children's Health

        About

        • About Us
        • Our Hospital
        • Patient Stories
        • Blog
        • News
        • Send a Greeting Card
        • New Hospital
        • Careers

        Connect

        • Donate
        • Refer a Patient
        • Contact Us
        • Pay Your Bill

        Find

        • Doctors
        • Locations
        • Services
        • Classes
        Download from App Store Download From Google Play

        Also Find Us on:

        • facebook
        • twitter
        • youtube
        • linkedin
        US News & World Report Badge
        • Stanford Medicine
        • Stanford University
        • Stanford Health Care
        • Lucile Packard Foundation
        • Notice of Nondiscrimination
        • Terms of Use
        • Privacy Policy
        • Code of Conduct
        • © 2023 Stanford MEDICINE Children's Health
        /nutch_noindex
        shareprint